'He said to me, "Now is the time. The boy has become a man. When he learns about the woman, he will do as you ask."'
'I do not understand that.'
'The woman has offered to go and live with the Mahatmaya and cook his meals for him. So the Mahatmaya says, "Very well, I will take her to live with me while I am here. I will give her food and money, and also to her father. I will give work in my chenas to your brother. So your brother can leave the woman and marry from another village."'
'I do not understand. I do not wish to marry from another village. And what offer of the woman do you talk of?'
'The woman came to the Mahatmaya while you were away in the chena. She offered herself to him. The Mahatmaya said to her, "I cannot take you unless the man gives you." Then he came to me: he said to me, "This woman says this and that to me. It would be better for me to take her to live with me while I am here; and you should marry your brother to an honest woman." So I sent for you.'
'It must be lies, brother. It must be lies. Who told this to you?'
'The Mahatmaya himself. Would he tell lies?'
'Is this true, aiya?' Babun asked Fernando.
'Yes, it is true. The woman came to me.'
'The woman is a whore, brother; I told you so long ago. It is better that you should give her to the Mahatmaya, and marry now from another village. You can come back to my house and live here meanwhile.'